Post by Flanz on Jun 14, 2012 14:50:57 GMT -5

I debated where to post this, but I guess it'll go here.

This is Oscar, and for the past (nearly) 16 years, he's been our family dog, one of my best pals, and the 5th member of my family. I just got off the phone with my Mom, who was in tears, and she just told me Oscar passed away this morning. Thankfully, he wasn't alone, my brother (who just finished graduate school) was with him, so I'd like to think he wasn't scared. I dunno, I guess a thread of dog lovers will understand this, but I haven't been this upset since my grandfather passed away 4 1/2 years ago. I did everything with this dog, he was my man. He helped me pick up girls, he protected me from bullies when I was young (he nearly took off a kids hand when he was beating on me pretty bad), he was a constant source of stupid fun and entertainment. But most of all, he loved everyone. I know people say dogs don't know any better, but I don't see why that's a bad thing. Oscar loved everyone he came across. We rescued him from an abusive home, and it's like he realized how lucky he was and spent the rest of his life repaying us and everyone we knew for it. He could always tell when something was bothering me, and could always do something to cheer me up. As silly as I'm told this is, we're having a funeral for him on Father's Day, and the outrageous thing is we've had over 50 people call and ask if they cane come say goodbye to him. As I'm typing this at work tears are streaming down my face (thankfully I just got my promotion so I have my own office now, haha), but I'll never feel ashamed for loving Oscar the way I would any other family member. My only wish is that everyone gets to experience that relationship with their dog. I hope you all understand if I'm bummed out for a while, this really sucks. I love that insane Basset, and I'm glad he held on long enough that I could say goodbye to him on Monday (when I stopped at my parents house to drop off Roo supplies). It's almost like he waited until he got to see me because he knew he'd never get another chance. And luck would have it his "last meal" was a steak my Dad had cooked and accidentally dropped on the deck last night, so naturally it went to Oscar the garbage disposal to eat. Funny how things work out, I guess. RIP Oggi, I love you bud.

Post by fawnmart on Jun 14, 2012 15:00:47 GMT -5

Oh Flanzo... my heart breaks for you! We lost a family member back in Feb and are only now starting to heal, so we get it!

A suggestion...

Put a jar or cup on the table.. Every big cry - put a dollar in the cup. small cry - 50 cents, a quarter for every sniffle, heavy sigh etc. Then reverse this - a fond memory - add a quarter - a huge smile thinking back - add a dollar.

Once you add that Happy memory dollar - dump the contents of the cup into a ziplock, and trot yourself on down to the local animal shelter and donate it in his memory. It feels REALLY good.

Post by itrainmonkeys on Jun 14, 2012 15:14:41 GMT -5

So sad to hear that Flanzo. I've only had to lose one dog in my life and it was the pooch that we got when I was very young. She passed when I was a senior in high school after some tumor/cancerous stuff made it hard for her to keep walking. I really loved that dog.

There's truly nothing like a good dog. The companionship. You know that the dog looks to you and recognizes you as being closer to them than other human beings. There really is an amazing bond there and I'm sorry for your loss. I've got two older dogs at home and my puppy Ruby Mae that i've posted pictures of is literally like my best friend. I can't imagine losing them.

Post by Flanz on Jun 14, 2012 17:51:41 GMT -5

Thanks all. I feel a lot better since talking to my brother. And Fawn, thanks for the idea, I passed it along and my parents loved it. We even have an Oscar jar (one of those silly things you get a picture put on in the mall or whatever), so they're going to use that.

Post by dreamingtree on Jun 14, 2012 19:03:19 GMT -5

Awww hugs Flanzo I recently had to put my 16 year old dog, Karma to sleep and I cried more over her than I have for family members that died... She was always there for me and my best friend when I went through really difficult times. I still cry sometimes when I think about her and how much I miss her. There is no shame in loving an animal that much, they are still part of your family.

Hopefully Oscar and Karma will be hanging out in doggie heaven in a field with great music playing in the background ;D

Post by quacker on Jun 15, 2012 8:27:15 GMT -5

Flanzo, heartfelt sympathies. I cried for days when I had to put my first pet Rufus down. We had 12 great years together and I was distraught but eventually you'll think back and smile at the times you shared.

Post by fawnmart on Aug 20, 2012 10:31:06 GMT -5

Dog For Sale . Free to good home. Excellent guard dog.Owner cannot afford to feed Jethro anymore, as there are no more drug pushers, thieves, murderers, or molesters left in the neighborhood for him to eat.

Most of them knew Jethro only by his Chinese street name, Ho Lee Schitt.